DIY

Fabric Ink T-Shirt How-To with Free SVG

October 10, 2017By Kayla23 Comments

I’ve been wanting one of these trendy tees since the beginning of October! I almost bit the bullet and ordered one but, I’m a maker and it’s hard for me to order things I can easily make myself for a fraction of the price.

I like to pass along my tid bits of know how every now and then so today I’m showing you how easy it is to create a t-shirt that has a vintage feel to it. No HTV required!

Here’s what you need:

(1) Measure and Prepare T-Shirt

I always measure first. It keeps me from putting designs under my armpit. Find the center of the shirt and press or iron it so that you have a line to center your design on. Also, now is the percent time to place cardboard or even paper inside of your shirt to prevent bleeding.

(2) Cut and Weed Design

I use the Cricut Explore Air II for all of my cutting needs. I highly recommend this machine if you’re in the market for one! Cut the Oramask on the vinyl setting and weed away the parts of the design that you want to be black.

(3) Transfer Stencil

Use transfer tape to pick up the design and transfer it to your shirt. I used plain old contact paper because it’s less sticky. If you use a transfer tape that is to sticky you might have a hard time getting the stencil to adhere to the shirt.

(4) Apply Fabric Ink

Apply the fabric ink with a stiff brush, using a pouncing motion. I applied it sparingly to get the vintage t-shirt look.

Cover the entire design and let it dry for a few minutes before removing the stencil. If you want a darker image, do another coat of fabric ink.

(5) Remove Stencil and Iron Over Design.

Once it’s all dry you can peel away the stencil and reveal the perfect, crisp design! Iron over the design or pop it under the heat press for a few seconds. This sets the fabric ink so it doesn’t just wash out.

(6) Show Off!

Now you can wear your totally awesome DIY’d shirt and when everyone asks where you got it you get to say, “I made it!” Go you. You rock.

Happy Crafting Friends! <3

Kayla

** this post contains affiliate links but rest assured I only promote products I absolutely love! – K

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Beginner, CAMEO, Cricut, Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Tutorial, Design Space, DIY, Fabric Ink, Fall, free

23 Comments on "Fabric Ink T-Shirt How-To with Free SVG"

Rachel

October 12, 2017 Reply

Thanks for sharing!
1. Kayla
  
  October 12, 2017 Reply
  
  You’re welcome!!
Tara

October 12, 2017 Reply

Love this! How do you think this design would work using heat transfer vinyl?
1. Kayla
  
  October 12, 2017 Reply
  
  I think it would work just fine! It’s a bit of weeding but not that bad.
Angie

October 12, 2017 Reply

Where did you get your shirt that you used?
1. Kayla
  
  October 12, 2017 Reply
  
  It’s a Jerzees brand shirt from Amazon. I’ll link it in the post.
Julie

October 15, 2017 Reply

Hi! Love this! Is the fabric ink you use like speedball? Thanks!
1. Kayla
  
  October 15, 2017 Reply
  
  Hey! It’s very similar to speedball ink. Maybe a little bit thicker but works the same way! I used Silhouette brand fabric ink.
Tara Fossett

October 15, 2017 Reply

Love this idea, thank you so much for sharing!!
1. Kayla
  
  October 16, 2017 Reply
  
  You’re so welcome!
Jennifer

October 16, 2017 Reply

How does it do after some washings? Air dry or gentle cycle? I’ve been wanting to make some shirts for my self that I do can’t buy since I can easily make it but I’m scared to make the leap. Lol.
1. Kayla
  
  October 16, 2017 Reply
  
  They hold up well!! I made one for July 4th in 2016 and it has been washed 20+ times and looks great!
Carol

October 16, 2017 Reply

Oh my ! Being the coffee addict that I am ( and not ashamed!) this is PERFECT!
1. Kayla
  
  October 16, 2017 Reply
  
  Yay for coffee addicts!! Thanks for stopping in!
B Pressley

October 16, 2017 Reply

You rock Kayla!!
1. Kayla
  
  October 16, 2017 Reply
  
  Aw, thanks!! So happy you stopped by!
Bree

January 19, 2018 Reply

I am so very new to the cricut world (just bought mine this week)! I love the shirt idea! This is probably a dumb question but when you mention transfer the oramask stencil using contact paper, what do you mean? What type of contact paper should I use? Any types would be helpful!
1. Kayla
  
  January 22, 2018 Reply
  
  Hey, Bree! Totally not a dumb question! I transfer Oramask using clear contact paper from stores like target/walmart.. The kind that you would use to line shelves or drawers. Lots of vinyl companies make transfer paper but I find it to be too sticky to transfer the Oramask. Hope that helps!
Nicki Trott

May 13, 2019 Reply

Do you use an Easy Press heat press to set the ink? I would like to use that, but I don’t know what settings to use or if I have to put a layer of something between the shirt and the press.
1. Kayla
  
  May 13, 2019 Reply
  
  I used an iron bc I didnt have an easypress at the time but it would work the exact same. Just set it to 350 and press for 30 seconds. 🙂
  1. Nicki Trott
    
    May 13, 2019
    
    Thanks! Would I need a teflon sheet or parchment paper to cover the shirt? And would this work with Speedball ink? Sorry about all the questions, I got some fun stuff for my birthday and want to have an idea what I am doing before I start creating.
Emma

June 3, 2019 Reply

LOVE this shirt!!! Do you think it would work and look the same on baseball hats??
1. Kayla
  
  June 3, 2019 Reply
  
  Thanks! Hats will be a little harder bc of their shape but it’s doable!